Lower body undergarment

ABSTRACT

An undergarment including a main body along with an elongated tubular and an elasticized extension. The main body of the undergarment defines a first leg opening laterally spaced from a second leg opening and includes a crotch web positioned between the first and second leg openings. The body portion of the undergarment further includes a continuous annular elastic waistband. The tubular elasticized extension is joined to and extends from the waistband of the main body portion and terminates in a continuous free annular and elasticized edge. The free elasticized and annular edge of the tubular extension is spaced from the annular waistband of the main body by a distance ranging between about 5 inches to about 15 inches.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION DISCLOSURE

This invention disclosure generally relates to a clothing article and, more specifically, to a lower body undergarment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION DISCLOSURE

There is both a need and desire for an alternative to traditional underwear and girdles. In many instances, and particularly when pants or shorts are worn separate from a top or blouse, exposure of certain areas of the wearer's body may become unwantingly and undesirably exposed. That is, when a person so dressed sits, bends over or is particularly active, certain areas of that person's buttocks, also frequently referred to as “rear end bum spillage”, can become exposed to a greater degree than may be expected often times resulting in embarrassment for the person wearing such attire.

Also, certain individuals, i.e, those with special needs, limited mobility and/or arthritis are often in need of extra support to maintain their independence while performing ordinary and everyday activities and especially when involved with sports activities. As will be appreciated, those persons being transferred from a wheel chair to a seat in an automobile, or a hospital bed, or even simply needing assistance when elevating from a chair in a restaurant or at home sometimes require just a little help raising from one elevation to the other. As mentioned above, that person's personal dignity during such assistance giving procedures remains a serious concern.

Also some people have what is sometimes referred to as a “muffin top” shape in their lower mid-region area which, when wearing tight fitting clothing, can be inconvenient and/or embarrassing. Moreover, certain individuals with and functioning in the autistic range of disabilities can be severely troubled by garments which are not secure. That is, such individuals can be and are readily distracted by areas of a garment which are not snug or securely fitted about and to their skin. Any hanging threads, along with loose or buckling areas or parts of such garments can prove acute distractions throughout the entire day for an autistic person wearing such garments.

Thus, there is a continuing need and desire for a lower body undergarment which addresses and provides a relatively simple but effective solution to those needs and desires mentioned above.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of this invention disclosure, there is provided a lower body undergarment including a main body along with an elongated tubular and elasticized extension. The main body of the undergarment defines a first leg opening laterally spaced from a second leg opening and includes a crotch web positioned between the first leg opening and the second leg opening. The body portion of the undergarment further includes a continuous annular elasticized waistband which tends to contract for snug positioning and placement of the undergarment about a wearer's waist. The tubular extension for the undergarment is formed from an elasticized fabric material and is securely joined to and projects from the waistband of the main body portion. The tubular extension terminates in a continuous and free elasticized annular edge. Between a lower edge and the free annular upper edge, the tubular extension converges upon itself and fits tightly about the mid-torso region of the person wearing the garment. The free annular edge of the tubular extension is spaced from the annular waistband of the main body by a distance ranging between about 5 inches to about 15 inches.

In a preferred embodiment, the material used to fabricate the main body portion and the extension of the garment consists of a blend of about 94% to about 96% semi-synthetic cellulose fiber and a blend of about 4% to about 6% polyether-polyurea copolymer material. To facilitate comfort, a blend of cotton can be added. In one embodiment, the tubular extension is joined to the waistband of the main body portion by elastomeric thread so as to yield both expansive and retractive movements of both the elastomeric waistband of the main body as well as the extension.

According to another aspect of this invention disclosure, there is provided an underwear garment including a torso surrounding web joined to an elongated tubular and elasticized extension. The torso surrounding web has an annular elastomeric waistband defining an upper terminal continuous edge for the torso surrounding web and which tends to fit snug and contract about a wearer's waist. The torso surrounding web further defines a first leg opening spaced from a second leg opening and includes a crotch web positioned between the first and second leg openings. The elongated tubular and elasticized extension projects upwardly from the waistband of the torso surrounding web so as to contract about, extend over and surround the abdominal and lower back region when in position so as to protect against undesirable exposure of certain covered body parts of the wearer when the wearer sits or bends over. The elongated tubular extension terminates in a free, continuous and elasticized annular edge. An overall configuration of the extension converges upon itself from the location whereat the extension is joined to the waistband of the torso surrounding web. The free annular edge of the extension is spaced from the annular waistband of the torso surrounding web whereby permitting the free and continuous annular edge of said extension to be folded toward the waistband of the torso surrounding web while allowing the undergarment to maintain the desired degree of protection for the wearer.

In one form, the torso surrounding web and the extension secured to the waistband of the torso surrounding web of the undergarment are both formed from a material consisting of a blend of about 94% to about 96% semi-synthetic cellulose fiber and a blend of about 4% to about 6% polyether-polyurea copolymer material. As is typical, an inner surface of the crotch web positioned between the first and second leg openings can be covered by a relative thin layer of cotton material.

In a preferred embodiment, the extension of the garment is joined to the waistband of the torso surrounding web by elastomeric thread so as to yield both expansive and retractive movements of both the elastomeric waistband of the torso surrounding web as well as the extension.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an undergarment embodying principals and teachings of this invention disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the undergarment illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view similar to FIG. 1 but showing a portion of the undergarment in a folded condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention disclosure is susceptible of embodiment in multiple forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a preferred embodiment, with the understanding the present disclosure is to be considered as setting forth an exemplification of the disclosure which is not intended to limit the disclosure to the specific embodiment illustrated and described.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIG. 1 an undergarment, generally indicated by reference numeral 10, which embodies principles and teachings of this invention disclosure. Although illustrated as a woman's undergarment, it will be appreciated, without detracting or departing from the spirit and novel scope of this invention disclosure, the teachings and principals discussed regarding undergarment 10 are equally applicable to men's undergarments. Moreover, an albeit generally described as an “undergarment”, it should be understood and appreciated the “undergarment” of this invention disclosure can readily be worn over another article of clothing, Le, underwear, without detracting or departing from the spirit and broad scope of this invention disclosure.

The undergarment 10 essentially includes a body portion or torso surrounding web 12 having an elongated tubular and elasticized extension 42 joined thereto. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the body portion or torso surrounding web 12 is configured with a conventional annular and elastomeric waistband 14 defining an upper terminal and continuous edge 16 configured to allow access into the underwear. In a manner well known in the art, the elasticized waistband 14 serves to contract and gives the continuous edge 16 reason to snugly fit about and hug the wearer's hips and about the waist of the wearer so as to properly position and maintain the waistband 14 at the waist of the wearer. In effect, the elasticized waistband 14 on the body portion 12 inhibits the undergarment 10 from scrunching down or gathering when garment 10 is being worn. Suffice it to say, the body portion or torso surrounding web 12 with the annular and elastomeric waistband 14 serves as a foundation for the two-part undergarment 10.

The body portion or torso surrounding web 12 defines a first leg opening 18 and a laterally spaced second leg opening 20 and further includes a crotch web area 22 positioned between the first and second leg portions 18 and 20, respectively. As is typical, an inner surface 23 (FIG. 1) of the crotch web area 22 is preferably covered by a relatively thin layer of cotton or other suitable fabric material. In the embodiment illustrated by way of example, each of the leg openings 18 and 20 is elasticized. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention disclosure, the body portion or torso surrounding web 12 can be manufactured in various sizes using conventional and well known techniques.

The body portion or torso surrounding web 12 has a predetermined rise. For purposes of this invention disclosure, the phrase or term “rise” should be understood in the conventional sense as being a measure of the distance between the bottom of the crotch web 22 and the upper edge 16 of the waistband 14 associated with and supporting the undergarment 10 about the wearer's waist. Suffice it to say, the rise for the body portion 12 of garment 10 is so selected that an inner surface of the crotch web 22 engages and supports the genital area of the wearer when the waistband 14 is maintained at the wearer's waist.

The waistband 14 of the body portion or torso surrounding web 12 is joined to the elongated tubular and elasticized extension 42. When garment 10 is worn, the extension 42 projects upwardly from the waistband 14 of the body portion or torso surrounding web 12 so as to create a garment which is smooth along an entire length thereof including through the waist region of the person wearing the garment 10. As such, the undergarment 10 is particularly suited to certain individuals with and functioning in the autistic range of disabilities who can be severely troubled by garments which are not secure. Besides “smoothing out” those “muffin top” mid-area torso regions afflicting some individuals, the undergarment 10 of this invention disclosure, when worn, is particularly suited to those individuals who can be and are readily distracted by areas of a garment which are not snug or securely fitted about and to their skin.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the tubular extension 42 terminates in an annular, elasticized and continuous free edge 44. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention disclosure, the tubular extension 42 of garment 10 can be manufactured in various sizes using conventional and well known techniques. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, and when being worn, a lower edge 43 the extension 42 preferably overlies the upper edge 16 of the waistband 14.

In one form of this invention disclosure, the body portion or torso surrounding web 12 and the tubular extension 42 are formed from the relatively thin material. In one form, the body portion or torso surrounding web 12 and the extension 42 of garment 10 are both formed from elasticized materials or fabrics including rayon, a semi-synthetic cellulose fiber sold under the brand name “Modal” and other synthetic and elasticized materials or fabrics sold under the brand names, i.e., “Spandex”, “Lycra” and/or other elastane materials. Optionally, the body portion or torso surrounding web 12 and the elasticized tubular extension 42 is formed from a synthetic material which is blend of about 90% to about 94% semi-synthetic cellulose fiber and a blend of about 4% to about 6% polyether-polyurea copolymer material.

In another embodiment, and without detracting or departing from the spirit and broad scope of this invention disclosure, the body portion or torso surrounding web 12 along with the elasticized waistband 14 joined to extension 42 of undergarment can be formed from different materials. That is, the body portion or torso surrounding web 12 can be fabricated or formed from a first woven material such as cotton or the like; however, any other suitable, low-cost woven material typically used to form such garments can also be used without detracting or departing from the spirit and novel scope of this invention disclosure. In this alternative embodiment, the extension 42 can be formed from an elasticized second material which is different from the first material used to form the body portion or torso surrounding web 12 of the undergarment 10, i.e., a combination of different elasticized materials or fabrics including rayon, a semi-synthetic cellulose fiber sold under the brand name “Modal” and other synthetic and elasticized materials or fabrics sold under the brand names, i.e., “Spandex”, “Lycra” and/or other elastane materials.

Between its lower edge 43 and the free edge 44, the elasticized tubular extension 42 is configured to preferably converge inwardly relative to the circumference of the annular elastomeric waistband 14 on the body portion or torso surrounding web 12 of garment 10 whereby maintaining the snug fit of the extension 42 about the skin of the person wearing the undergarment. In a preferred embodiment, the overall configuration of the extension 42 converges toward the free and continuous annular edge 44 from the waist region of the body portion 12 whereat the extension 42 is joined to the elasticized waistband 14 of the torso surrounding web 12.

As shown in FIG. 3, toward its lower end 43, the tubular extension 42 is joined to the waistband 14 of the body portion or torso surrounding web 12 preferably by a line of stitching 46 which contracts the waistband 14 so as to affect a smooth transition between the tubular extension 42 and the waistband 14 of the body portion or torso surrounding web 12 and gives the waistband 14 along with a lower end of the extension 42 a reason to hug the hips of the person wearing the undergarment. Optionally, the lower end 43 of the extension 42 is joined to the waistband 14 of the main body portion 12 by elastomeric thread so as to yield both expansive and retractive movements of both the elastomeric waistband 14 of the main body portion 12 as well as the extension 42 and to preferably avoid buckling of any portion of the garment 10.

Returning to FIGS. 1 and 2, and after the body portion 12 and the tubular extension 42 are joined to each other, the free and continuous annular edge 44 of the tubular extension 42 is spaced from the annular waistband 14 of the body portion or torso surrounding web 12 by a distance of about 5 inches to about 15 inches. In a preferred embodiment, and after the body portion 12 and the tubular extension 42 are joined to each other, the free and continuous annular edge 44 of the tubular extension 42 is spaced from the annular waistband 14 of the body portion or torso surrounding web 12 by a distance of about 6 inches to about 10 inches.

The lower body undergarment 10 of the present invention disclosure serves multiple purposes. First, when the undergarment 10 is properly fitted or disposed on the wearer as shown in FIG. 1, the waistband 14 contracts and snugly fits about the waist and hips of the person wearing the undergarment 10 so as to inhibit the garment 10 from buckling while being worn while allowing the garment 10 to extend smoothly through the waistline between the upper edge 44 and lower regions on the body portion 10.

With the waistband 14 of garment 10 properly fitted about the waist and hugging the hips of the person wearing the undergarment 10, the free and continuous annular edge 44 of the tubular extension 42 is so disposed relative to the waistband 14 such that the tubular extension 42 extends over and surrounds the abdominal and lower back region of the wearer whereby creating a smooth and continuous contour which eliminates a “muffin top” showing for the individual wearing the garment. Moreover, the tubular extension 42 on garment 10 descriminantly protects against undesired exposure of certain body portions or areas of the person wearing garment 10 whereby allowing the wearer to freely sit, bend over or otherwise be actively involved with sports, exercise or simply playing with their child without concerns as to whether certain of their body parts, i.e., the upper buttocks areas, sometimes referred to as “rear end bum spillage”, are adequately protected, hidden and/or descriminately covered to avoid undue embarrassments.

When the upper edge 44 of the tubular extension 42 on garment 10 is pulled up, the extension 42 can give the illusion of wearing a tucked in shirt or tank top. Additionally, having the elasticized extension 42 secured to the waistband 14 of the body portion or torso surrounding web 12 facilitates maintaining the extension 42 in place and inhibits or limits special needs individuals from mistakenly pulling the extension 42 to far upwardly toward their chest or neck.

A second purpose advantageously served by the undergarment 10 of the present invention disclosure involves additional support to those in need. That is, the extra length of material provided by having the elongated tubular extension 42 project upwardly or rise from the waistband 14 of the body portion of the web surrounding torso 12 readily provides plenty enough material to allow an aid or other care giver to quickly grasp and pull upwardly whereby adding stability to the person wearing the undergarment. As will be appreciated, by joining the extension 42 to the remainder of the undergarment 10 at the waist, the forces of pulling upward on the extension 42 will cause the crotch web 22 of the body portion or torso surrounding web 12 to engage the genital area of the person wearing the garment 10 so as to add and promote lift and stability to the person wearing the undergarment 10.

As shown in FIG. 5, having the tubular extension 42 project away from the waistband 14 of the body portion or torso surrounding web 12 for a distance ranging between 6 and 15 inches furthermore promotes folding of the extension 42 tightly upon itself. That is, the tubular extension 42 can be folded over along a fold line 50 with the upper edge 44 being pulled toward the waistband 14 of the body portion or torso surrounding web 12 to provide an entirely different and fashionable appearance to the garment 10 while accomplishing without detracting from those goals mentioned above. Moreover, and as will be appreciated, the fold line 50 created in the garment 10 when the upper portion of the tubular extension 42 is folded over and pulled toward the waistband 14 (FIGS. 1 and 2) creates a blind pocket which opens to the bottom and which can further aid a care giver and/or others in pulling upwardly on the undergarment 10 when required to add both stability and lift to the person wearing the undergarment.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be made and effected without departing or detracting from the true spirit and novel concept of this invention disclosure. Moreover, it will be appreciated, the present disclosure is intended to set forth an exemplification which is not intended to limit the disclosure to the specific embodiment illustrated. Rather, this disclosure is intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and scope of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A lower body undergarment, comprising: a main elasticized body defining a first leg opening laterally spaced from a second leg opening and including a crotch web positioned between said first leg opening and said second leg opening, with said body portion further including a continuous annular elastic waistband which tends to contract for snug positioning, placement and securement of said undergarment about a wearer's waist; and a tubular and elasticized extension joined to and smoothly extending from the waistband of said main body portion and terminates in a continuous free annular and elasticized edge, with the a circumference of said free annular and elasticized edge of said extension being slightly smaller than the annular elastic waistband of said main body along a length of said extension such that said extension snuggly fits about the skin of the person wearing said undergarment, and wherein the free annular edge of said extension is spaced from the annular waistband of said main body by a distance ranging between about 6 inches to about 10 inches.
 2. The undergarment according to claim 1 wherein at least the tubular extension of said undergarment is fabricated from a blend of about 94% to about 96% semi-synthetic cellulose fiber and a blend of about 4% to about 6% polyether-polyurea copolymer material.
 3. The undergarment according to claim 1 wherein said extension is joined to the waistband of said main body portion by elastomeric thread so as to yield both expansive and retractive movements of both the elastomeric waistband of the main body as well as said elastomeric extension while allowing for a smooth transition in an area wherein said extension and the waistband of said main body are joined to each other.
 4. An underwear garment, comprising: a torso surrounding web having an annular elastomeric waistband defining an upper terminal continuous edge for said torso surrounding web and which tends to contact about a wearer's waist and gives reason for the waistband be positioned and hug the hips of the wearer, with said torso surrounding web further defining a first leg opening spaced from a second leg opening and including a crotch web positioned between the first and second leg openings; and an elongated and tubular elasticized extension joined to and smoothly projecting upwardly from the waistband of said main body portion so as to extend over and surround the abdominal and lower back region when in position so as to descriminately protect against undesirable exposure of certain covered body parts of the wearer when the wearer bends over, with said extension terminating in a free and continuous annular and elasticized edge which is sized smaller than the waistband of the torso surrounding web such that an overall configuration of said tubular extension converges toward the free and continuous annular edge thereof from the location whereat said extension is joined to the waistband of the torso surrounding web so as to allow the tubular extension to snugly fit against the wearer's skin, and wherein the free annular edge of said tubular extension is spaced from the annular waistband of said torso surrounding web by a distance ranging between about 5 inches to about 15 inches whereby permitting the free and continuous annular edge of said tubular extension to be folded toward the waistband of said torso surrounding web while allowing said undergarment to maintain the desired degree of protection for the wearer.
 5. The undergarment according to claim 4 wherein both the torso surrounding web and the tubular extension of said undergarment are formed from a material comprising a blend of about 94% to about 96% semi-synthetic cellulose fiber and a blend of about 4% to about 6% polyether-polyurea copolymer material.
 6. The undergarment according to claim 4 wherein the tubular extension is joined to the waistband of torso surrounding web by elastomeric thread so as to yield both expansive and retractive movements of both the elastomeric waistband of the main body as well as said elastomeric extension while allowing for a smooth transition in an area wherein said extension and the waistband of said torso surrounding web are joined to each other. 